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MINERALS MINED IN ALASKA
GOLD is the top producing mineral in Alaska.
Also, In the late 1800s and early 1900s the Alaska/Klondike Gold Rush sent hundreds of thousands of people up to Alaska in search of gold! But, did you know that Alaska also produces other minerals that are a vital part of your everyday life?
It's True!
Currently, Alaska's six actively operating mines produce the following minerals:
GOLD
Gold’s qualities make it one of the most coveted metals in the world. Not only can it be beautifully shaped and sculpted, but the yellow metal also conducts electricity and does not tarnish. These qualities make it the metal of choice for a wide variety of industries.
Click here to download an infographic on GOLD and take a look at some industrial, medical and technological uses of gold, some of which are truly amazing!
SILVER
Silver is used to make mirrors, as it is the best reflector of visible light known, although it does tarnish with time. It is also used in dental alloys, solder and brazing alloys, electrical contacts and batteries. Silver paints are used for making printed circuits. Silver has antibacterial properties and silver nanoparticles are used in clothing to prevent bacteria from digesting sweat and forming unpleasant odors. Silver threads are woven into the fingertips of gloves so that they can be used with touchscreen phones.
Click here to download an infographic on SILVER and the many uses of this versatile metal.
ZINC
Zinc is found everywhere in our daily life: in the Earth, in Food and in products we use like cosmetics, airplanes, automobiles. Zinc is most commonly used for coating of other metals to protect them from corrosion. It is also used in alloys such as brass, bronze, nickel.
Click here to download an infographic on ZINC and learn the ways that ZINC makes your summer more enjoyable!
LEAD
Lead is still widely used for car batteries, pigments, ammunition, cable sheathing, weights for lifting, weight belts for diving, lead crystal glass, radiation protection and in some solders.
It is often used to store corrosive liquids. It is also sometimes used in architecture, for roofing, and in stained glass windows.
Click here to download an infographic on LEAD and the many uses of this versatile metal.
COAL
Coal is mostly carbon with variable amounts of other elements; mainly hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen. Coal has many important uses worldwide, the most significant use of coal are in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing and as a liquid fuel. Steam coal - also known as thermal coal - is mainly used in power generation
Coal currently fuels around 40% of Alaska's Interior. Click here to download an infographic and learn more about coal.
But, let's not stop there!
If the pending mining projects complete their permitting processes, environmental studies and other required steps to begin mineral extraction, Alaska has the potential to see increased production of gold, silver, zinc and to also add the following minerals into Alaska's production:
MOLYBDENUM
Most molybdenum is used to make alloys. It is used in steel alloys to increase strength, hardness, electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion and wear. Other uses for molybdenum include catalysts for the petroleum industry, inks for circuit boards, pigments and electrodes.
Click here to download an infographic on MOLYBDENUM and the many uses of this versatile metal.
GRAPHITE
Graphite is an allotrope of carbon; this means it is a substance made solely of pure carbon. It is an extremely soft mineral and it breaks into minute, flexible flakes that easily slide over one another. This feature accounts for graphite’s distinctive greasy feel. This greasy characteristic makes graphite a good lubricant. Because it is a solid material, it is known as a dry lubricant. This is useful in applications where “wet” lubricants, such as oil, cannot be used. Graphite is the only non-metal element that is a good conductor of electricity.
Click here to download an infographic and learn more about graphite.
COPPER
The use of copper is a staggering phenomenon and its importance in our everyday lives is often understated. Its relative abundance and affordability, combined with its ductility, malleability, resistance to corrosion, and heat and electrical conductivity makes the metal versatile for all sorts of applications.
Click here to download an infographic on COPPER and the many uses of this versatile metal.
BARITE
Barium is found in mineral barite, which is crystallized barium sulfate
99% of the barite consumed in the United States is used as a weighting agent in drilling muds. Barite is also used as a pigment in paints and as a weighted filler for paper, cloth, rubber is the green color you see in fireworks. Barite is the primary ore of barium, which is used to make a wide variety of barium compounds. Some of these are used for x-ray shielding and used in diagnostic medical tests.
Click here to download an infographic and learn more about barite.
RARE EARTH ELEMENTS
Despite their name, rare earth elements are fairly abundant, however, their concentration is low in the minerals and ores, which makes them hard to extract.
The 17 rare earth elements are:
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cerium (Ce)
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dysprosium (Dy)
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erbium (Er)
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europium (Eu)
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gadolinium (Gd)
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holmium (Ho)
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lanthanum (La)
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lutetium (Lu)
Click here to download an infographic on how rare earth elements are used in your everyday life.
- neodymium (Nd)
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praseodymium (Pr)
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promethium (Pm)
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samarium (Sm)
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scandium (Sc)
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terbium (Tb)
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thulium (Tm)
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ytterbium (Yb)
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yttrium (Y)